ABSTRACT
Clinical applications Direct measurements of arterial pressure are usually indicated when sudden, large changes of blood volume are expected, such as in major vascular surgery or when rapid and extreme changes in pressure are likely (operation for phaeochromocytoma). The shape of the arterial waveform can provide useful information regarding cardiac contractility or aortic valve disease. Direct arterial pressure measurement is further indicated when myocardial function is disturbed by dysrhythmias, myocardial infarction or open-heart surgery, or when non-invasive methods are likely to be inaccurate (obesity or cardiopulmonary bypass).
